About Paul Pavao and Christian-History.org
Lorie and I, dressed up for a Rose Creek Village wedding
So why am I, Paul Pavao, writing about Christian history?
My interest in the history of Christianity extends back to 1983. I saw the conflict between various denominations, and I wondered what the churches started by the apostles were like.
Between 1983 and 1990, I read numerous Christian history books that were written for laymen. They left me with the impression that we know very little about the apostles' churches after the first century.
Then in 1990 I ran across the book, Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up by David Bercot. I was absolutely stunned to find out that we know lots about the apostles' churches. It turns out that Christians of the 2nd century wrote around 10 times as much as the writings we have from the 1st century (including those in our New Testament).
I use this every day. I can vouch for its quality and ease of use.
I asked my wife's back surgeon about inversion tables, and he said, "I have one. I use it every evening. What does that tell you?"
A little later, he added, "What can I tell you? They just work!"
I immediately threw myself into reading those writings.
Janelle, my 1st daughter and 4th child
Every day for five years I read early Christian writings, beginning with early ones like Clement of Rome and ending with Tertullian, whose writings carry on into the early 3rd century. I studied them, underlined them, highlighted them, and carried them with me wherever I went. I even wrote a couple thousand quotes out on index cards! (And lost them five years later!!! Aargh!)
What I Offer On Christian History for Everyman
Here is what I believe I can uniquely offer on Christian History for Everyman:
- My first commitment to my readers is that I am careful. I either have very good reasons to believe that historians agree with what I've written, or I've researched primary material myself and compared it to others who have researched the same material. I'm trying to learn from history, not create my own version of it.
- My second commitment to my readers is that I will be honest. If I have reason to doubt what I'm writing, I'll tell you. I NEVER take a stand on something just because I wish it were true.
- In order to help fulfill those commitments to you, the reader, I run all my more controversial opinions by those who disagree with me. That's easy to do in the 21st century, thanks to the internet. I have a very good idea whether my case is solid or just a wild guess. I will always tell you which it is.
My oldest son, Zerubbabel
Testimony of Those Who Know Me
I've been told by three church leaders, whose churches I have been part of and taught in, that I am the most honest researcher they've ever met. I believe I could have no more glowing review of my research.
Across the board, every church I have ever been a part of has told me that I have the gift of teaching. People trust me, and I have a commitment to be worthy of that trust. The Scriptures say that teachers will receive a stricter judgment (Jam. 3:1), and I have no desire to be "tried and found wanting."
Personal Info
My name is Paul Pavao. I'm 47, I'm married, and I have six children. My children have turned out really wonderful. The oldest is now 19, and the youngest is 6 (as of March 23, 2009). There are three boys, then a girl, then a boy, then a girl; total, four boys and two girls.
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My youngest son and fifth child, Manuha, with a leaf-shaped peace of ice from our Jan. 2010 ice storm. 
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I'm delighted with my children, with their love for God and for learning, and with their joy in life. For that I must give credit to several excellent parents who answered my persistent questions when I was still single. I took note of the children I admired, and I asked their parents for advice, far in advance of having my own children.
That's really important information, even if it has little to do with Christian history.
It's obvious the pictures are not in order of cuteness. This is Leilani, my youngest
I'm a member of Rose Creek Village. I was thrilled to find them in 1995, and I have been a member here since the community started in Tennessee on Jan. 1, 1996.
Each year in June we do a communities conference (use the contact me button if you're interested in coming) with guest speakers, but usually I get to be one of the speakers, too. Last year I got to do a seminar called "The Second Hundred Years" (title shamelessly stolen from the 1960's TV series). It was really well-received, and it got me interested in getting back into writing. I'm about 1/3 done with a book of the same name, but I've stopped working on it in order to do christian-history.org.
If You're Not Bored With Me Yet
I have some of my own Christian stories on this site. These are personal experiences of the grace and influence of God. I've been told they're pretty interesting, and my traffic reports tell me people like to read them.
I've also finally added my testimony.
Oh, by the way, here's Noah's graduation speech; he's my second son.
I think you'll find it interesting.
